Development of a Patient-Centred, Psychosocial Support Intervention for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Care in Nepal

This study aimed to develop an intervention to improve psycho-social well-being for MDR-TB patients in Nepal

Abstract

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a major threat to public health worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. The current long (20 month) and arduous treatment regime uses powerful drugs with side-effects that include mental ill-health. It has a high loss-to-follow-up (25%) and higher case fatality and lower cure-rates than those with drug sensitive tuberculosis (TB). While some national TB programmes provide small financial allowances to patients, other aspects of psychosocial ill-health, including iatrogenic ones, are not routinely assessed or addressed.

This study aimed to develop an intervention to improve psycho-social well-being for MDR-TB patients in Nepal. To do this the authors conducted qualitative work with MDR-TB patients, health professionals and the National TB programme (NTP) in Nepal.

This research is supported by the Department for International Development’s COMDIS–HSD Programme which is led by the University of Leeds

Citation

Khanal S, Elsey H, King R, Baral SC, Bhatta BR, Newell JN (2017) Development of a Patient-Centred, Psychosocial Support Intervention for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Care in Nepal. PLoS ONE 12(1): https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167559

Development of a Patient-Centred, Psychosocial Support Intervention for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Care in Nepal

Published 1 January 2017